Ex-Bundesliga Referee: Messi Deserved Red Card in Argentina’s World Cup Opener

A former Bundesliga official has claimed Lionel Messi should have been sent off for a studs-up challenge on Algeria’s Aissa Mandi in the opening match of World Cup 2026. Messi starred in Argentina’s 3-0 victory, scoring a hat-trick that made him the oldest player to achieve the feat at a World Cup and took his tournament tally to 16 goals, equalling Miroslav Klose’s record. The incident went unpunished after Polish referee Szymon Marciniak opted for a warning and VAR did not intervene. The ex-referee insisted the tackle met the criteria for a red card under the Laws of the Game. Messi now aims to lead Argentina to back-to-back World Cup titles after their dramatic win over France in Qatar 2022.

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